Doorbell mounting and activation apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A doorbell including a housing and mount that can be engaged such that the housing is pivotable or otherwise movable relative to the mount for engagement with the mount and/or for activation of a doorbell switch. A latch can secure the housing to the mount so the housing is secured to the mount. A switch located in a space defined by the housing and mount can be actuated based on movement of the housing relative to the mount.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/151,231, entitled “DOORBELL MOUNTINGAND ACTIVATION APPARATUS AND METHOD,” filed on Feb. 19, 2021, which isherein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to doorbells and other devices that have anactivatable switch, e.g., by a user pressing on a button.

BACKGROUND

Doorbells are commonly used to monitor a location near a door or otherentry into a building as well as allow a visitor to announce theirpresence. Such doorbells are often mounted to a wall or other surfacenear the entry point, e.g., in a place apparent to a visitor andconvenient to interact with. In many cases, doorbells have a button orother switch that can be pressed by a visitor, which activates a chimeor other indication to a person inside or otherwise monitoring thebuilding entry.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In some aspects, a doorbell mounting and/or assembly configurationallows for easy installation and disassembly of the doorbell, e.g., forbattery replacement or doorbell repair. In some examples, afully-functional doorbell housing can be removably secured to a mountthat is attached to a wall or other surface. The housing and mount canbe arranged to allow the housing to be initially engaged to the mount,e.g., along a top edge of the housing and mount, to allow pivotalmovement of the housing toward the mount. Initial engagement of thehousing and mount can be relatively easily done, e.g., because only oneside of the housing and mount need be aligned with each other. In somecases, hinge elements at the one side of the housing and mount can beengaged to permit pivotal movement of the housing relative to the mount.With the initial engagement complete, the housing can be pivotedrelative to the mount to an engagement position, where a latch (e.g., ata bottom edge of the housing or mount) can secure the housing to themount. The latch, which can include a slide element, can be engagedand/or disengaged by hand and/or using simple tools such as a standardscrewdriver. In some examples, the housing and mount can have atemporary engagement feature whereby the housing can be supported by themount before the latch is engaged. For example, a magnet and/or otherengagement feature between the housing and mount can hold the housing onthe mount before the latch is engaged. This can allow a user totemporarily hang the housing on the mount, freeing the user's hands forother activity, such as retrieving a tool, prior to engaging the latch.The housing can be easily removed from the mount, e.g., for batteryreplacement, by disengaging the latch and pivoting the housing away fromthe mount.

In some aspects, a doorbell configuration allows for the reduction inmoving parts and/or elimination of moving parts such as a doorbellbutton on user-facing surfaces of the doorbell. As an example, adoorbell housing can be made movable as a single unit relative to amount while the housing is secured to the mount. Movement of the housingrelative to the mount can actuate a doorbell switch, which can beconcealed or enclosed in a space between the housing and mount. As aresult, the housing can have no moving parts, or at least no movingdoorbell switch actuator, on outer surfaces that face a user. Instead,any moving part such as a doorbell switch can be located in a spacebetween the housing and mount, and protected from contact by a userand/or environmental conditions. This arrangement can provide forimproved protection of components inside of the housing, e.g., becauseseals at user-facing sides of the housing need not be provided formoving parts. Reduced moving parts on the housing can also reduce costsassociated with manufacture and assembly.

In some examples, a doorbell includes a mount configured to be securedto a surface and support the doorbell on the surface. For example, themount can be configured to be secured to a wall, door jamb or othersurface, e.g., by fasteners. A housing can be configured to be securedto the mount such that the housing is movable relative to the mountbetween a rest position and an activation position. As an example, thehousing can be secured to the mount so that the housing is not removablefrom the mount without intentionally disengaging the housing from themount, and yet the housing is movable relative to the mount between therest and activation positions. The housing can have a switch configuredto be actuated to provide an indication of actuation of the doorbell inresponse to movement of the housing from the rest position to theactivation position relative to the mount. As an example, the housingcan be configured to be pressed or otherwise moved by a visitor, e.g.,that presses on a front side of the housing, and movement of the housingrelative to the mount can cause actuation of the switch. Actuation ofthe switch can cause various functions to be performed, such asactuation of a chime or other notification that the doorbell switch hasbeen actuated, recording of audio and/or video by the doorbell (e.g., toallow a visitor to communicate with a remote user), and so on.

In some examples, the housing is configured to pivot or move linearlyrelative to the mount in movement from the rest position to theactivation position. In some cases, the housing has a front sidearranged to face a user that activates the doorbell and a rear side thatfaces the mount when the housing is secured to the mount. The doorbellswitch can be located at the rear side of the housing, and can becontacted by the mount in response to the housing moving from the restposition to the activation position. Thus, movement of housing from therest position to the activation position can cause the mount to contactand actuate the switch. In some examples, the switch is enclosed in aspace defined by the housing and the mount when the housing is securedto the mount. This can help protect the switch from environmentalconditions, such as moisture, and/or physical contact that could causedamage to the switch.

In some examples, a fulcrum or other pivot point is positioned betweenthe mount and the housing and defines a pivot about which the housingmoves between the rest position and the activation position. Forexample, the fulcrum can be defined by a portion of the housing such asa fin or rib that extends away from a rear side of the housing. In somecases, a biasing element is configured to provide a force on the housingto urge the housing to move to the rest position. For example, thebiasing element can include a magnet that provides a magnetic force,e.g., an attractive force, between the housing and the mount. In somecases, the magnet can be positioned on a first side of the fulcrum orother pivot point between the housing and mount and the switch can bepositioned on a second side of the fulcrum or pivot point opposite thefirst side. Movement of the housing against the magnetic force of themagnet toward the activation position can cause the mount to contact andactuate the switch.

In some examples, a doorbell includes a mount configured to be securedto a surface and support the doorbell on the surface and a housingconfigured to be secured to the mount. The housing can have a switchconfigured to be actuated to provide an indication of actuation of thedoorbell. The mount and housing can have a first end and a second endopposite the first end and can be configured to engage with each otherat the first end such that the housing is pivotable toward the mountabout a pivot axis but is restricted in movement relative to the mountin directions parallel to the pivot axis and perpendicular to the pivotaxis. For example, the pivot axis can be horizontally oriented, and thehousing can be restricted in movement relative to the mount indirections along the horizontal axis and at least one directionperpendicular to the horizontal axis. A latch can be configured at asecond end of the housing and the mount that is movable to engage thehousing and mount at the second end so as to restrict movement of thehousing about the pivot axis and the directions parallel andperpendicular to the pivot axis. This configuration can make the processof engaging the housing with the mount easier for a user, e.g., becausethe user can engage the housing and mount at a first end while thehousing is arranged at an angle to the mount and then pivot the housingrelative to the mount to a position where the latch can be engaged andsecure the housing to the mount.

In some examples, a hinge at the first end of the mount and the housingcan be configured to permit pivoting movement of the housing about thepivot axis and restrict movement of the housing in the directionsparallel and perpendicular to the pivot axis. The latch can be mountedto the second end of the mount and be configured to engage with thehousing at the second end. The hinge can be arranged to allow thehousing to be engaged with the mount at the first end while the housingis at least partially positioned away from the mount at the second endand then allow pivoting of the housing to an engagement position. Forexample, in some cases, the housing has a rear surface, and the hingecan be configured to engage the housing and mount while the rear surfaceis positioned away from and at an angle relative to the mount. The hingecan be configured to permit pivotal movement of the housing about thepivot axis to position the rear surface of the housing adjacent themount and allow engagement of the latch with the housing at the secondend. In some cases, the mount includes a recess to receive the rearsurface of the housing when the housing is positioned to engage with thelatch.

In some examples, the hinge and the latch can be configured to allow thehousing to pivot relative to the mount about a second pivot axis whenthe housing and mount are engaged by both the hinge and the latch. Insome cases, the second pivot axis can be parallel to the pivot axis,e.g., be positioned between first and second ends of the housing andmount. Movement of the housing about the second pivot axis can cause theswitch to be actuated, e.g., movement of the housing about the secondpivot axis can cause the mount to contact and actuate the switch. Thesecond pivot axis can be defined by a fulcrum or other pivot pointbetween the housing and mount as described above.

In some examples, the hinge includes a tab at the first end of the mount(or housing) and a slot at the first end of the housing (or mount) toreceive the tab. The tab and slot can be configured to permit pivotingmovement of the housing about the pivot axis and restrict movement ofthe housing in the directions parallel and perpendicular to the pivotaxis. As an example, the tab and slot can be configured to engage eachother by moving the housing and mount relative to each other along aradial direction of the pivot axis. Engagement of the tab and slot canrestrict movement of the housing and mount relative to each other indirections along the pivot axis and perpendicular to the radialdirection along which the tab and slot are engaged.

In some cases, the hinge and latch can be configured to permit thehousing to move relative to the mount between a rest position and anactivation position while the housing and mount are engaged by the hingeand latch, and the switch can be configured to be actuated to provide anindication of actuation of the doorbell in response to movement of thehousing from the rest position to the activation position. In somecases, the housing can pivot about the hinge pivot axis relative to themount even when the latch is engaged. In some examples, a biasingelement such as a spring or magnet can be configured to urge the housingto move to the rest position.

In some examples, a method of operating a doorbell includes providing adoorbell housing secured to a mount, and moving the housing relative tothe mount between a rest position and an activation position to cause aswitch of the housing to be actuated to provide an indication ofactuation of the doorbell. For example, moving the housing can includepivoting of the housing relative to the mount from the rest position tothe activation position. In some cases, moving the housing relative tothe mount can include contacting a portion of the switch with a portionof the mount, e.g., to actuate the switch. In some examples, moving thehousing includes moving the housing relative to the mount against abiasing force of a biasing element configured to move the housing to therest position. For example, the biasing force can be a magnetic forcethat attracts the housing and the mount to move toward each other.

In some examples, a method of operating a doorbell includes providing adoorbell housing secured to a mount, engaging first ends of the housingand the mount such that the housing is pivotable toward the mount abouta pivot axis but is restricted in movement relative to the mount indirections parallel to the pivot axis and perpendicular to the pivotaxis, and engaging second ends of the housing and the mount with a latchso as to restrict movement of the housing about the pivot axis and thedirections parallel and perpendicular to the pivot axis. In some cases,engaging the second ends includes engaging the housing and mount suchthat the housing is permitted to pivot relative to the mount within arange of movement. For example, the housing can be permitted to pivotrelative to the mount about a second pivot axis different from the pivotaxis. In some cases, the method includes pivoting the housing relativeto the mount about the second pivot axis to actuate a switch of thedoorbell. For example, the housing can be pivoted relative to the mountabout the second pivot axis against a biasing force, such as a magneticforce that opposes pivoting of the housing relative to the mount toactuate the switch.

Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description of various non-limiting examples whenconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying figures and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the systems and methods described herein are described withreference to the following drawings in which numerals reference likeelements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is front lower right perspective view of a doorbell in anillustrative example;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the FIG. 1 doorbell in disassembled form;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the FIG. 1 doorbell housing removedfrom the mount;

FIG. 4 is a schematic section view of the FIG. 1 doorbell along thelines 4-4 in FIG. 1 with the rear side of the housing positioned awayfrom the mount; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic section view of the FIG. 1 doorbell along thelines 4-4 in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the systems and methods described herein are described belowby way of one or more illustrative examples. It should be understoodthat the illustrative examples described are not intended to limit theaspects, but rather to help show how one or more aspects can beimplemented in particular examples. Also, aspects can be implementedalone and/or in combination with other aspects. For example, someaspects below relate to a doorbell including a housing and mount thatare separable and engagable with respect to each other using a latch,whereas other aspects relate to a doorbell having a housing that ismovable relative to a mount to actuate a switch to provide an indicationof actuation of the doorbell (e.g., to indicate a visitor has pressed abutton on the housing). These aspects and others can be employedtogether, individually and/or in any suitable sub combination with eachother, e.g., a housing and mount may be made inseparable from each otherbut allow the housing to move relative to the mount to actuate a switch,or a housing and mount may be engagable using a latch but in a way thatdoes not permit movement of the housing relative to the mount when thelatch is engaged.

In some aspects, a doorbell includes a mount configured to be secured toa surface and support the doorbell on the surface. For example, themount can be arranged to be secured to a wall, door jamb or casing,window, or other surface using screws or other fasteners, adhesive,welding, etc. A housing of the doorbell can be attached to the mount andcan include one or more components to provide doorbell functions. Forexample, the housing can have a switch configured to be actuated toprovide an indication of actuation of the doorbell, such as by a userpressing a button or other portion of the housing to actuate the switch.The indication of doorbell actuation can be used to perform variousfunctions, such as activating an audible and/or visual chime or otherindication that the doorbell switch has been actuated. In some examplesthe doorbell housing can include other components, such as a camera orother imaging device to image an area near the doorbell, a motion sensorto detect motion near the doorbell, a speaker for producing audiblesound, a microphone for receiving and transmitting a signal indicativeof sound at or around the doorbell, wireless and/or wired communicationsdevices for sending and receiving signals regarding sensed conditions atthe doorbell, a controller to generate control signals for the doorbellor other devices, a user interface to receive and present information toa user (e.g., visually and/or audibly) by the doorbell, a battery orother power source, and so on. Thus, with the housing secured to themount on a wall or other surface, the doorbell housing can performvarious functions suitable for a doorbell, such as allowing a visitor toannounce presence at a building door or other access area, allowing auser to communicate audibly and/or visually with a visitor via acamera/display/speaker/microphone, allowing a user to monitor activityin an area near the doorbell (via recorded sound and/or video), and soon.

In some aspects, the doorbell housing can be engaged with the mount in auser-friendly and/or secure way that reduces the likelihood that thehousing will be separated from the mount, whether accidentally orintentionally. In some examples, the housing can be securely attached tothe mount without the use of tools or with a simple general purpose toolsuch as a standard screwdriver. In some examples, the housing can besecured to the mount by a movable latch that locks the housing in placerelative to the mount. In some cases, the housing can be aligned andpositioned with respect to the mount by engaging elements of a hingebetween the housing and mount while the housing is positioned away fromthe mount and then pivoting the housing to an engagement positionrelative to the mount, e.g., in which the latch can engage the housingand mount. For example, the mount and housing can be configured toengage with each other at an upper end of the housing and mount suchthat the housing is pivotable toward the mount about a pivot axis but isrestricted in movement relative to the mount in directions parallel tothe pivot axis and perpendicular to the pivot axis. With the upper endsof the mount and housing engaged with each other, e.g., by a hinge, thehousing can be pivoted toward the mount toward an engagement position.When at the engagement position, a latch on the housing or mount can bemoved to engage the housing and mount together. The engagement of thelatch can limit movement of the housing in directions along the pivotaxis and in directions perpendicular to the pivot axis, as well asrotation about the pivot axis. In some cases, the housing and mount caninclude a temporary engagement feature that holds the housing stationaryand supports the housing on the mount before the latch is engaged. Thiscan allow a user to release the housing before the latch is engagedwithout concern that the housing will disengage from the mount. With thehousing self-supported on the mount, a user can manipulate the latch toengage the housing more permanently with the mount. In some cases, amagnet can be used to exert an attractive force between the housing andmount to temporarily hold the housing on the mount. To more permanentlyengage the housing and mount, a user can move a latch to engage themount and housing with each other, e.g., at a lower end of the mount andhousing.

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative example of a doorbell 1 that includes ahousing 2 and a mount 3. In some examples, the housing 2 can includecomponents for performing functions for the doorbell 1, such as amicrophone and speaker 41, a camera or other imaging device 42, a motionsensor 43, a button or press area 44 that a visitor can press to causean indication that the doorbell switch has been actuated, and so on.Operation of such components can be controlled by a controller 45, whichcan include a computer or other data processing unit configured toperform various functions such as causing the camera 42 to capture videoand/or still image data, the microphone and speaker 41 to record and/orpresent audible sound, communicate with devices remote from the doorbell1 (such as a user phone or other device to allow a user to observe andcommunicate with a visitor), actuate a chime or other device to indicatethat a user has pressed the button 44, store sensed condition data suchas sound, video, motion, etc., a battery or other power source for thedoorbell 1, and other functions. These and/or other components can behoused at least partially within the housing 2, e.g., such that thedoorbell 1 can perform all, most or many of its functions whetherattached to the mount 3 or not. In some examples, the housing 2 can beconfigured to perform all of its functions without being engaged withthe mount 3, except for actuating a switch to indicate that the doorbellswitch or button has been activated. In some examples, the doorbell 1 isconfigured to operate completely wirelessly (e.g., without wires forelectrical power and/or communication). In some examples, the doorbell 1can be wired for power and/or communication, e.g., to actuate a doorbellchime inside of a building.

In some examples, the mount 3 can be configured to be secured to a wallor other surface and so support the housing 2 on the wall or othersurface. For example, FIG. 2 shows the housing 2 detached from the mount3 and shows a front side of the mount 3 that is positioned adjacent therear side of the housing 2 when the housing 2 is engaged with the mount3. The mount 3 can include openings 31 or other features to allow ascrew or other fastener to secure the mount 3 to a wall or othersurface. Other arrangements can be employed to secure the mount 3 to asurface, such as adhesive, welding, magnets, etc. FIG. 2 also shows thatthe rear side of the housing 2 can have various components exposed, suchas a battery door that can be removed for replacement of a battery inthe housing 2.

In some examples, the housing 2 and mount 3 are configured to engagewith each other at a first end, such as an upper end, so that a portionof the housing 2 (e.g., a portion of the housing containing or definingthe button 4) is pivotable toward and away from the mount 3 about apivot axis 46. In some examples, the housing 2 and mount 3 areconfigured to engage at the first end so as to permit pivotal movementof the housing 2 about the pivot axis 46 but the housing 2 is restrictedin movement relative to the mount 3 in directions parallel to the pivotaxis 46 and perpendicular to the pivot axis (e.g., perpendicular to aplane of a rear side of the housing 2). For example, the housing 2 andmount 3 can have hinge elements that engage with each other so the upperends of the housing 2 and mount 3 are engaged and the lower ends of thehousing 2 and mount 3 are positioned away from each other in a firstposition. The hinge elements can allow the housing 2 to be pivoted aboutthe pivot axis 46 to a second position so that the lower ends of thehousing and mount 3 are positioned adjacent each other, e.g., so thatthe rear side of the housing 2 is adjacent the front side of the mount3. With the housing 2 in the second position, a latch 33 can be operatedto engage the lower ends of the housing 2 and mount 3 with each other.When the lower ends of the housing 2 and mount 3 are engaged by thelatch, the housing 2 can be restricted or limited in movement about thepivot axis 46 away from the second position, e.g., the housing 2 can berestricted in movement in directions parallel and perpendicular to thepivot axis 46 as well as restricted in pivotal movement about the pivotaxis 46. This can secure the housing 2 to the mount 3 so the housing 2cannot be removed without the latch 33 being first disengaged.

As an example, FIG. 2 shows the housing 2 and mount 3 separated fromeach other and depicting a rear side of the housing 2 and a front sideof the mount 3. The mount 3 includes tabs 32 at an upper side of themount 3 that are configured to engage with corresponding slots 21 at anupper side of the housing 2, which can be seen in FIG. 3. The tabs 32and slots 21 form a hinge connection between the housing 2 and the mount3 that allows the upper ends of the housing 2 and mount 3 to be engagedwhile the rear side of the housing 2 is positioned away from and at anangle to the mount 3. This arrangement is shown schematically in FIG. 4where the tabs 32 and slots 21 are engaged and the rear side of thehousing 2 is positioned away from and at an angle to the mount 3. Thetabs 32 and slots 21 can be engaged by inserting the tabs 32 into theslots 21 in a radial direction relative to the pivot axis 46. Engagementof the tabs 32 and slots 21 permits movement of the housing 2 about thepivot axis 46 (see FIG. 1), but restricts movement of the housing 2relative to the mount 3 in directions along the pivot axis 46 (e.g.,left to right or laterally when viewing the housing 2 from the front)and in directions perpendicular to the pivot axis (e.g., in directionsperpendicular to the rear side of the housing 2 and/or perpendicular tothe radial direction in which the tabs 32 and slots 21 are engaged).Engagement of the tabs 32 and slots 21 can be performed by a usermanipulating the housing 2 so that the tabs 32 are inserted into theslots 21. With the tabs 32 and slots 21 engaged, the housing 2 can bepivoted about the pivot axis 46 so that the rear side of the housing 2is moved adjacent to the mount 3 and the lower ends of the housing 2 andmount 3 are positioned adjacent each other as shown in FIG. 5. Thehousing 2 can be secured to the mount 3 by moving a latch 33 so thattabs 33 b or other features of the latch 33 engage with correspondingslots 22 (see FIG. 2) at the lower side of the housing 2. Engagement ofthe latch 33 can secure the housing 2 to the mount 3 so that the housing2 is restricted or limited in movement about the pivot axis 46 as wellas in directions along and perpendicular to the pivot axis 46. In someexamples, the housing 2 can be further restricted or limited in movementand/or positioned in a desired way relative to the mount 3 by receivingthe rear side of the housing 2 into a recess 34 of the housing. Therecess 34 can be defined by a peripheral wall of the mount 3, which cancarry the tabs 32 and/or alignment features 35 that can contact thehousing 2 to position the housing 2 as desired in the recess 34. In someexamples, a portion of the rear side of the housing 2 can be receivedinto the recess 34 or otherwise engaged with the mount 3 so that thehousing 2 is movable to at least a limited extent relative to the mount3, e.g., to move in and out of the recess 34 and/or pivot about thepivot axis 46 or another parallel axis relative to the mount 3. That is,the latch 33 and/or hinge engagement between the housing 2 and mount 3can secure the housing 2 to the mount 3 so it cannot be removed whilestill provide at least some, though limited, movement of the housing 2relative to the mount 3.

In some examples, the latch 33 can be configured as an element that isslidably mounted to the mount 3. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates anexample in which the latch 33 is arranged as a hook-shaped or J-shapedcomponent having a pair of openings 33 a formed along a long leg of theJ-shape that each receive a fastener (e.g., a screw) to attach the latch33 to the mount 3 so that the latch 33 can slide up and down relative tothe mount 3. FIG. 2 shows the latch 33 in an upward most position andthe latch 33 can be moved downwardly from the FIG. 2 position (e.g., asshown in dashed line in FIG. 2 and schematically in FIG. 4) so that thelower end of the housing 2 can be received into the recess 34 withoutinterference from the latch 33. Shorter legs of the J-shaped elementinclude tabs 33 b that are configured to engage with corresponding slots22 at the lower end of the housing 2. It should be understood, however,that the latch 33 can be configured in other ways in some examples. Forexample, the latch 33 can be mounted to the housing 2 rather than themount 3 and configured to engage with corresponding slots or otheropenings formed on the mount 3. In some examples, the latch 33 ismanually operable, e.g., a user can move the latch 33 between engagedand disengaged positions. In some cases, a simple tool such as astandard screwdriver can be used to disengage the latch 33, although atool need not be required to engage the latch 33. In some examples, thelatch 33 can be spring loaded or otherwise biased to move to either tothe engaged or disengaged position, e.g., similar to how typicalbuilding door latches are spring loaded to automatically engage the doorand door jamb when the door is closed. For example, the latch 33 can bebiased to move to the engaged position and arranged so that the latch 33automatically engages with the housing 2 by pressing the housing 2 intothe engagement position on the mount 3. In the illustrated example thelatch 33 is at a lower end of the housing 2 and mount 3, but the latch33 can be positioned in other locations in some examples, e.g., at anupper end and/or at sides of the housing 2 and mount 3. In someexamples, a latch 33 can be provided in two or more locations, e.g., atupper and lower ends of the housing 2 and mount 3. In some examples, thelatch 33 includes a detent that retains the latch 33 in the engagedand/or disengaged position. For example, a detent that retains the latch33 in the engaged position can help ensure that the latch 33 does notdisengage from the housing 2 unless a user intentionally moves the latch33.

A hinge engagement between the housing 2 and mount 3 can be arranged inother ways than that shown in FIGS. 2-5, and in some examples can beeliminated entirely. For example, in some examples, the housing 2 cancarry tabs or other male features that engage with slots or othercorresponding female features on the mount 3. In some examples, thehousing 2 and/or mount 3 can include hinge knuckles that engage witheach other by a hinge pin. In some examples, the hinge can include hooksthat are formed on the housing 2 and/or mount 3 that engage with acorresponding feature on the mount 3 and/or housing 2. The hinge can beprovided in other locations than at an upper end of the housing 2 andmount 3, e.g., at a lateral side and/or lower end of the housing 2 andmount 3 in some examples. A hinge engagement between the housing 2 andmount 3 need not be provided at all and can be replaced with anengagement that does not provide for pivotal movement of the housing 2relative to the mount 3.

In some aspects, the mount and housing can be configured such that thehousing is movable relative to the mount while or after the housing issecured to the mount. Such relative movement can permit actuation of aswitch or other component to provide an indication of actuation of thedoorbell. For example, the housing can have a switch and the housing canbe configured to move between a rest position and an activation positionrelative to the mount while the housing is secured to the mount. Theswitch can be configured to be actuated to provide an indication ofactuation of the doorbell in response to movement of the housing fromthe rest position to the activation position, e.g., in response to auser pressing on a front side of the housing. In some examples, thehousing can pivot relative to the mount in movement from the restposition to the activation position. In some cases, the housing can movealong a linear path relative to the mount between the rest position andthe activation position.

In the illustrative example of FIGS. 1-5, the housing 2 is configured topivot or otherwise move relative to the mount 3 even while the housing 2is engaged to the mount 3, e.g., by the latch 33. This movement of thehousing 2 can actuate a switch 47 to provide an indication of actuationof the doorbell, e.g., by a user indicating arrival at a door or otherentry to a building. In some examples, movement of the housing 2relative to the mount 3 to actuate the switch 47 can be about a secondpivot axis that is defined by a pivot point which is separate ordistinct from the hinge connection between the housing 2 and mount 3. Insome examples, the housing 2 can include a fulcrum 23 positioned betweenthe mount 3 and the housing 2 and which defines a pivot about which thehousing 2 moves between the rest position and the activation position.In some examples, the fulcrum 23 is defined by a portion of the housing2 that extends away from a rear side of the housing 2, e.g., in alocation between the upper and lower ends of the housing 2. The fulcrum23 can be configured as a rib, fin, pin, standoff, ball element, etc.that extends from a rear side of the housing 2, and the fulcrum 23 canbe received in a groove 36 of the mount 3 or otherwise contact a portionof the mount 3. In some examples, the fulcrum 23 can define a secondpivot axis about which the housing 2 can pivot relative to the mount 3and which is parallel to the pivot axis 46. That is, the housing 2 canbe configured to pivot relative to the mount 3 about the pivot axis 46to engage the housing 2 and mount 3 with each other, and once thehousing 2 and mount 3 are engaged, the housing 2 can be pivotallymovable relative to the mount 3 about a second pivot axis defined by thefulcrum 23. Pivotal movement of the housing 2 about the second pivotaxis can cause actuation of a switch 47, e.g., located at the rear sideof the housing 2. For example, a visitor pressing on the press area 44at the front side of the housing 2 can cause the housing 2 to pivotabout the second pivot axis defined by the fulcrum 23 so the lower endsof the housing 2 and mount 3 move towards each other, e.g., to movetoward the activation position. This can cause a portion of the mount 3(such as a pair of teeth 39 on the mount 3) to actuate the switch 47,which actuation can be detected by the controller 45 and cause thecontroller 45 to actuate a chime or otherwise provide an indication to auser that the doorbell 1 has been actuated, cause the controller 45 torecord audio/video data at the doorbell location, provide instructionsto the visitor, etc. In some examples, movement of the housing 2 to theactivation position can cause a portion of the mount 3 to physicallycontact and move a portion of the switch 47 to actuate the switch 47. Insome examples, the switch 47 can be actuated in non-contact ways, suchas by a magnet on the mount 3 actuating a Hall effect or other switch 47on the housing 2. In some examples, the switch 47 can be enclosed in aspace defined by the housing 2 and the mount 3 when the housing issecured to the mount. This can help protect the switch 47 fromenvironmental conditions, such as undesired physical contact which maycause damage, water or other moisture, etc., and can help protect theswitch 47 from high actuation forces. For example, when the housing 2 ismoved to the activation position, a stop on the housing 2 can contactthe mount 3 so that further movement of the housing 2 toward the mount 3is prevented. This can limit the force or physical travel of the switch47 when it is actuated, protecting the switch 47 from damage. Providingthe switch 47 at a rear side of the housing 2 can also eliminate anymoving parts on a front side of the housing 2, e.g., eliminate a buttonwith a movable element that is pressed by a user to actuate thedoorbell. This can help eliminate components that can fail, e.g., due toexcessive activation forces and/or environmental conditions, at thefront side of the housing 2.

In some examples, the doorbell can include a biasing element configuredto provide a force on the housing to urge the housing to move to therest position, i.e., to urge the housing to move away from theactivation position relative to the mount. In some examples, the biasingelement can include a spring or other resilient element that ispositioned between the housing 2 and mount 3 and urges the housing 2 tomove to the rest position. Such a resilient element can be positionedbetween the rear side of the housing 2 and the front side of the mount3, e.g., between the fulcrum 23 and the lower ends of the housing 2 andmount 3. In some examples, the biasing element can include a magnet 37that is configured to exert a force on the housing 2 to urge the housingto move to the rest position. In some cases, use of a non-contactingbiasing element such as a magnet can provide improved reliability and/orreduced manufacturing costs, e.g., because a biasing element can bemolded with one or more component and eliminate any need to assembleseparate parts together. For example, FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 illustrate amagnet 37 that is attached to the mount 3 and positioned to exert anattractive force to move the housing 2 and mount 3 toward each other ata location between the fulcrum 23 (or second pivot point) and the upperends of the housing 2 and mount 3. This attractive force can cause thehousing 2 to pivot in a clockwise direction about the fulcrum 23 (asviewed in FIGS. 4 and 5) and toward the rest position. A visitor thatpresses on the press area 44 of the housing 2 (which is positionedbetween the fulcrum 23 or second pivot point and the lower ends of thehousing 2 and mount 3) can overcome the biasing force of the magnet 37and cause the housing 2 to pivot in a counterclockwise direction to theactivation position. As discussed above, movement of the housing 2 tothe activation position can actuate the switch 47, e.g., by causing apart of the mount 3 to contact and move a portion of the switch 47. Themagnet 37 can be configured in other ways in other examples. In someexamples, the magnet 37 can be mounted to the housing 2 to provide anattractive force between the housing 2 and mount 3. In some examples,the magnet 37 can be configured to exert a repulsive force between thehousing 2 and mount 3, e.g., the magnet 37 can be positioned between thefulcrum 23 or second pivot point and the lower ends of the housing 2 andmount 3 and urge the housing 2 to move away from the mount 3 to the restposition.

In some examples, a pivot point and/or biasing element between thehousing 2 and mount 3 can provide a temporary engagement between thehousing 2 and mount 3 before the latch 33 or other securing member isengaged. This feature can allow a user to more easily engage the housing2 with the mount 3, particularly when the user must manually operate thelatch 33 to engage the housing 2 and mount 3. In some examples, afulcrum 23 or other pivot point and/or a magnet 37 or other biasingelement can temporarily secure the housing 2 to the mount 3, e.g., sothat the user can release the housing 2 and yet the housing 2 issupported on the mount 3 by the pivot point and/or biasing element. Forexample, the fulcrum 23 can engage with the groove 36 and/or the magnet37 can provide an attractive force between the housing 2 and the mount 3so that the housing 2 can be supported on the mount 3 without the latch33 engaged. The fulcrum 23 and groove 36 can engage by having a portionof the fulcrum 23 received into the groove 36 so that the groove 36 canexert a generally upward force on the fulcrum 23, e.g., having acomponent in a radial direction relative to the pivot axis 46 alongwhich the slots 21 receive the tabs 32 to keep the slots 21 and tabs 32engaged with each other and a component to support the weight of thehousing 2. This can allow a user to release the housing 2 during theengagement process, so the user can use one hand to press the housing 2toward the mount 3 at the lower end and use another hand to engage thelatch 33. In some examples, a hinge connection between the housing 2 andmount 3 (such as that provided by the tabs 32 and slots 21) can resistmovement of the housing in directions parallel and perpendicular to thepivot axis 46 (e.g., lateral and horizontal movement) but is notconfigured to resist movement of the housing 2 away from the pivot axis46 in a radial direction relative to the pivot axis 46. Thus, when thehousing 2 and mount 3 are engaged by the hinge connection as shown inFIG. 4, the housing 2 can fall from the mount 3 in a radial directionaway from the pivot axis 46 unless the user holds the housing 2 engagedwith the mount 3. However, when the housing 2 is pivoted toward themount 3 to a position close to that in FIG. 5 but before the latch 33 isengaged, the fulcrum 23 can engage the mount 3 and/or the magnet 37 canexert an attractive force on the housing 2 to hold the housing 2 inplace relative to the mount 3 before the latch 33 is engaged. In someexamples, the fulcrum 23 and/or magnet 37 together with the hingeconnection (e.g., provided by the slots 21 and tabs 32) can support thehousing 2 on the mount 3 before the latch 33 is engaged. That is, thefulcrum 23 and/or magnet 37 can exert an upward and/or radially directedforce relative to the pivot axis 46 that keeps the tabs 32 and slots 32engaged, and the hinge connection can provide a retaining force in adirection perpendicular to the radial direction (e.g., perpendicular toa direction in which the slots 21 receive the tabs 32 or a plane of therear side of the housing 2) to keep the rear side of the housing 2engaged with the mount 3 so the fulcrum 23 and/or magnet 37 can exert asupporting force on the housing 2.

In some examples, rather than provide a second pivot axis about whichthe housing 2 can move between the rest and activation positions, thehousing 2 and mount 3 can be configured so that the housing 2 movesabout the pivot axis 46 between the rest and activation positions. Thus,in some examples a hinge connection between the housing 2 and mount 3(such as that provided by the tabs 32 and slots 21) can provide not onlya convenient and effective way to secure the housing 2 to the mount 3,but also provide a connection that allows for movement of the housing 2relative to the mount 3 to cause actuation of a switch 47 or othercomponent that indicates activation of the doorbell. To urge the housing2 to move to the rest position, a biasing element such as a spring ormagnet can be provided to move the housing 2 away from the mount 3, atleast at a lower end of the housing 2 or other location where a switch47 is located. For example, a biasing element can be provided where thefulcrum 23 is located and the fulcrum 23 eliminated in some examples. Insome examples, a biasing element can be incorporated into the switch 47,e.g., the switch 47 can include a spring that urges the housing 2 tomove the rest position in the absence of a force on the housing 2 tomove the housing to the activation position. The housing 2 can movepivotally about the pivot axis 46 between rest and activation positions,or the housing 2 and mount 3 can be configured to permit movement of thehousing 2 along a linear path relative to the mount 3 between the restand activation positions. Where the housing 2 is movable relative to themount 3 between rest and activation positions, the hinge connection andlatch engagement can be configured to permit the required movement ofthe housing 2 relative to the mount 3, while otherwise restricting orlimiting movement of the housing 2, e.g., to prevent disengagement ofthe housing 2 from the mount 3. Such movement can be provided bysuitably sizing or otherwise configuring the slots 21 and tabs 32 (orother hinge components) as well as the latch 33 and slots 22 (or otherlatch engagement components).

Note that the positioning and arrangement of features of the doorbell 1,such as hinge components, a biasing element, and/or second pivot pointelements, can be configured in any suitable way. For example, the hingetabs 32 can be located on the housing 2 and the hinge slots 21 locatedon the mount 3. Similarly, the fulcrum 23, groove 36 or other pivotpoint features can be positioned on the mount 3 or housing 2. Likewise,a biasing element 37 can be positioned on the housing 2 and/or mount 3and in any suitable location.

As noted above, operation of the doorbell components can be controlledby the controller 45, which can include a programmed processor and/orother data processing device along with suitable software or otheroperating instructions, one or more memories (including non-transientstorage media that can store software and/or other operatinginstructions), sensors, input/output interfaces (such as a userinterface on the housing), communication modules, buses or other links,a display, switches, relays, triacs, a battery or other power source orsupply, or other components necessary to perform desired input/output,control or other functions. A user interface can be arranged in anysuitable way and include any suitable components to provide informationto a user and/or receive information from a user, such as buttons, atouch screen, a voice command module (including a microphone to receiveaudio information from a user and suitable software to interpret theaudio information as a voice command), a visual display, one or moreindicator lights, a speaker, and so on.

While systems and methods have been described with reference to variousillustrative examples, such systems and methods are not limited to theexamples described. Thus, it is evident that many alternatives,modifications, and variations of the examples described will be apparentto those skilled in the art. Accordingly, examples as set forth hereinare intended to be illustrative, not limiting.

1. A doorbell comprising: a mount configured to be secured to a surfaceand support the doorbell on the surface; and a housing having a switchand configured to be secured to the mount such that the housing ismovable relative to the mount between a rest position and an activationposition, the switch being configured to be actuated to provide anindication of actuation of the doorbell in response to movement of thehousing from the rest position to the activation position.
 2. Thedoorbell of claim 1, wherein the housing pivots relative to the mount inmovement from the rest position to the activation position.
 3. Thedoorbell of claim 1, wherein the housing has a front side arranged toface a user that activates the doorbell and a rear side that faces themount when the housing is secured to the mount, and wherein the switchis exposed at the rear side of the housing.
 4. The doorbell of claim 3,wherein the switch is contacted by the mount in response to the housingmoving from the rest position to the activation position. 5.-6.(canceled)
 7. The doorbell of claim 1, further comprising a fulcrumpositioned between the mount and the housing and which defines a pivotabout which the housing moves between the rest position and theactivation position. 8.-11. (canceled)
 12. The doorbell of claim 1,further comprising a biasing element configured to provide a force onthe housing to urge the housing to move to the rest position.
 13. Thedoorbell of claim 12, wherein the biasing element includes a magnetattached to the mount or the housing configured to provide a magneticforce between the mount and the housing. 14.-22. (canceled)
 23. Adoorbell comprising: a mount configured to be secured to a surface andsupport the doorbell on the surface; a housing configured to be securedto the mount and having a switch configured to be actuated to provide anindication of actuation of the doorbell; the mount and housing having afirst end and a second end opposite the first end and configured toengage with each other at the first end such that the housing ispivotable toward the mount about a pivot axis but is restricted inmovement relative to the mount in directions parallel to the pivot axisand perpendicular to the pivot axis; and a latch configured at a secondend of the housing and the mount that is movable to engage the housingand mount at the second end so as to restrict movement of the housingabout the pivot axis and the directions parallel and perpendicular tothe pivot axis.
 24. The doorbell of claim 23, comprising a hinge at thefirst end of the mount and the housing that is configured to permitpivoting movement of the housing about the pivot axis and restrictmovement of the housing in the directions parallel and perpendicular tothe pivot axis.
 25. The doorbell of claim 24, wherein the latch ismounted to the second end of the mount and is configured to engage withthe housing at the second end. 26.-31. (canceled)
 32. The doorbell ofclaim 24, wherein the hinge includes a tab at the first end of the mountand a slot at the first end of the housing to receive the tab, the taband slot being configured to permit pivoting movement of the housingabout the pivot axis and restrict movement of the housing in thedirections parallel and perpendicular to the pivot axis.
 33. Thedoorbell of claim 24, wherein the hinge and latch are configured topermit the housing to move relative to the mount between a rest positionand an activation position while the housing and mount are engaged bythe hinge and latch, the switch being configured to be actuated toprovide an indication of actuation of the doorbell in response tomovement of the housing from the rest position to the activationposition. 34.-40. (canceled)
 41. The doorbell of claim 23, furthercomprising a magnet positioned between the first and second ends andconfigured to support the housing on the mount prior to the latch beingengaged to restrict movement of the housing about the pivot axis and thedirections parallel and perpendicular to the pivot axis. 42.-44.(canceled)
 45. A method of operating a doorbell comprising: providing adoorbell housing secured to a mount; and moving the housing relative tothe mount between a rest position and an activation position to cause aswitch of the housing to be actuated to provide an indication ofactuation of the doorbell.
 46. The method of claim 45, wherein movingthe housing includes pivoting of the housing relative to the mount fromthe rest position to the activation position.
 47. The method of claim45, wherein moving the housing includes contacting a portion of theswitch with a portion of the mount.
 48. The method of claim 45, whereinmoving the housing includes moving the housing relative to the mountagainst a biasing force of a biasing element configured to move thehousing to the rest position.
 49. The method of claim 48, wherein thebiasing force is a magnetic force that attracts the housing and themount to move toward each other.
 50. A method of operating a doorbellcomprising: providing a doorbell housing secured to a mount; engagingfirst ends of the housing and the mount such that the housing ispivotable toward the mount about a first pivot axis but is restricted inmovement relative to the mount in directions parallel to the first pivotaxis and perpendicular to the first pivot axis; and engaging second endsof the housing and the mount with a latch so as to restrict movement ofthe housing about the first pivot axis and the directions parallel andperpendicular to the first pivot axis.
 51. The method of claim 50,wherein engaging the second ends includes engaging the housing and mountsuch that the housing is permitted to pivot relative to the mount withina range of movement.
 52. The method of claim 51, wherein the housing ispermitted to pivot relative to the mount about a second pivot axisdifferent from the first pivot axis.
 53. The method of claim 52, furthercomprising pivoting the housing relative to the mount about the secondpivot axis to actuate a switch of the doorbell.
 54. The method of claim53, wherein pivoting the housing relative to the mount about the secondpivot axis includes pivoting the housing relative to the mount about thesecond pivot axis against a biasing force.